Community Foundation CEO Susan True Becomes a Sworn Watershed Ranger

How do you take action for the lower San Lorenzo River and the Santa Cruz Riverwalk? There are so many ways to make a difference! Hear from Community Foundation CEO Susan True about how she takes action to transform the lower San Lorenzo River into a community destination where people and nature thrive!

Recently, I had a big day! I was sworn in as a Watershed Ranger – see my badge? Here’s what I said I would do:

As a Watershed Ranger, I promise to protect and care for our community and our environment, to continue to explore our amazing natural places and share what I know with others.

I raised my hand, I took the pledge and decided to fully embrace CWC’s dream for the last three miles of the San Lorenzo.

I take my job as a Watershed Ranger seriously. I greet people every time I am on the Riverwalk. I pick up bits of trash. I talk to the Downtown Streets Team about what they are doing to beautify the area. This wasn’t some altruistic act – it makes me happy to dream this dream with CWC. When I bike on the pathway now, I foresee where beneficial plants will be (and already have been) planted. When I walk, I imagine a flood-able park where I will stop and rest and chat with people enjoying the Riverwalk. I share the dream of inviting river-facing development – where we now just see cinder block will become dining, river living and walking to Pacific Avenue. I share the dream of people playing, reading books, interacting with art and biking to work along the Riverwalk. And, of course, I share the dream of a healthy river and watershed where creatures and our beautiful Monterey Bay thrive because of our positive human activity!